Polls

Oil Spill Could Impact Midterm Elections

| Tom Jensen

Header-poll-resultsPresident Obama’s job approval ratings have maintained, dropping only two points over the last month. 48% of voters like the job the President is doing right now, compared with 47% who say they disapprove of him.  Obama’s decline is most likely due to his handling of the oil spill. 47% of Americans disapprove of the President’s response to the oil spill while only 38% give him good marks.

The President’s slipping approval ratings could impact midterm elections. 48% of voters say they are less likely to vote for a candidate who is endorsed by the President, while only 33% say Obama’s support would make them more inclined to give someone their vote.

Americans have a stronger opinion about off shore drilling than BP. Last month 55% of Americans reaffirmed their support for off shore drilling while only 30% said that they’re now opposed to drilling off the American coast.  This month, a majority of respondents reported that the oil spill has not affected where they buy gas.  57% say the spill has not affected their willingness to buy gas at BP.

This may be due to the perception that the average citizen cannot impact the business practices of BP, but can influence American law.

“The American public is clearly unhappy with response to the oil spill and anger will continue to mount as summer vacations are altered,” said Dean Debnam President of Public Policy Polling.  “Obama needs to raise his approval ratings quickly so he is not a liability, but an asset for his fellow Democrats during midterm elections.”

PPP surveyed 650 American voters from June 4th– 7th.  The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.8%.  Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at (888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.

Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.

Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of Barack
Obama’s job performance?
Approve…………….. 48%
Disapprove………… 47%
Not Sure……………. 5%

Q2 Would you be more or less likely to vote for a
candidate who was endorsed by President
Obama, or would it not make a difference?
More likely………………………………………………. 33%
Less likely ………………………………………………. 48%
Makes no difference ………………………………… 17%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 1%

Q3 Do you support or oppose President Obama’s
health care plan, or do you not have an
opinion?
Support ………………………………………………….. 43%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 49%
No Opinion……………………………………………… 8%

Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of how
President Obama has handled the oil spill in
the Gulf?
Approve…………….. 38%
Disapprove………… 47%
Not Sure……………. 15%

Q5 Are you buying gas at BP more often, less
often, or about the same as you were two
months ago?
More often………………………………………………. 5%
Less often ………………………………………………. 38%
About the same……………………………………….. 57%

Q6 Who did you vote for President last year?
John McCain…………………………………………… 42%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 49%
Someone else/don’t remember ………………….. 8%

Q7 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 18%
Moderate………………………………………………… 44%
Conservative…………………………………………… 38%

Q8 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 49%
Man……………………………………………………….. 51%

Q9 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 43%
Republican……………………………………………… 34%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 24%

Q10 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2.
If African American, press 3. If other, press 4.
Hispanic…………………………………………………. 10%
White …………………………………………………….. 72%
African American …………………………………….. 12%
Other……………………………………………………… 6%

Q11 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 10%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 26%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 45%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 19%

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